SLO 6/24-29 Small report on page 2

Mitch wants to go check out SLO... so away we go. I am hoping besides checking out the campus we can bring the yaks and find some hook ups down in the area. Any advice? Many thanks

I'm sure you'll get better advise from a local but I would check out San simeon, cambria, montana de oro or southern big sur if I was you.

I don't know the launches or local hotspots but I've driven through a few times and those places looked interesting to me.

Even Avila beach seems like a cool place to check out and is probably protected more than the rest.

Good luck!

-Eliot

What is the date you're coming down?  It got cut off in the title.  Anyway, here are my picks...

#1 choice: Leffingwell in Cambria is my favorite spot.  I have always come home with a great catch.  Lots of lings, the occasional cab, and plenty of rockfish.  Lately some good Vermillions have been pulled out of there.  Easy launch spot with kelp patties and good bottom structure. 

#2: Spooners cove in Montana de Oro State Park (Los Osos).  As long as the beach break isn't working then it is an easy launch.  Paddle out of the cove and head either north or south, pay attention to which way the drift is running.  Some kelp patties to the south with good reef structure throughout the whole area.

Other good choices would be Port San Luis (PSL), Avila, and Cayucos among others.  If you want more info on these spots let me know.  I live in Los Osos and depending when you're coming down would be stoked to hook up with you guys if you want company.  Cal Poly is a great campus, enjoy your trip.

   Just saw the dates...I should be around mid week if you guys want a third.  Let me know.

  Just saw the dates...I should be around mid week if you guys want a third.  Let me know.

That would be awesome! My son is finalizing his work schedule and I hope to know when we are leaving to head down to SLO country. I am hoping we may be able to head back up the coast and get a day in the water somewhere on the way back up as well...unless I can not get enough of the coast there and then we will hang there and use I5 as a speedway. Any suggestion for camping?

Jealous...

For an easy launch and mild conditions, I would suggest either Shell Beach or Port San Luis. Both about 10 minute drives from SLO. If you want to be a little more adventurous, Montana de Oro, Cayucos, or Cambria are great bets (listed in increasing distance from SLO).

-Shell Beach: Launch right down from Central Coast Kayaks (stop by and say hi to the friendly folks in the shop). There are some nice kelp beds that hold rockfish, and some sand stringers that hold halibut. 5" Big Hammers in "Bay Smelt" or "Bleeding Olive Herring" were my go-to's. 1.5 or 2-oz lead heads.

-Port San Luis or Avila- Launch anywhere along this mellow sandy beach. There are some scattered reefs and great sand for halibut. 4" "pearl white" big hammers on a 3/4-1-oz lead head were very effective for the flatties.

You're gonna have a blast... I studied at Cal Poly for my BS and MS (Environmental Engineering). Nothing but positive things to say about that town/school/area.

Have fun!

-Alex

Also, if you have any questions about the school/dorms/whatever, I'd be glad to share my thoughts.

Cheers,

-Alex

P.S.... Make sure you stop in to Firestone for a tri tip sando and a Firestone DBA.... Mmmmmmmmmm....

  Just saw the dates...I should be around mid week if you guys want a third.  Let me know.

That would be awesome! My son is finalizing his work schedule and I hope to know when we are leaving to head down to SLO country. I am hoping we may be able to head back up the coast and get a day in the water somewhere on the way back up as well...unless I can not get enough of the coast there and then we will hang there and use I5 as a speedway. Any suggestion for camping?

There is camping right above the launch at Spooners Cove in Montana de Oro, San Simeon State Beach campground  2-3 miles north of cambria, Plaskett Creek campground on Hwy. 1 good spot for fishing in the southern Big Sur area.

You guys are great. Thank you for the info! Looks like the trip is a go. Now I just need to google where these places are and head out. Looks like we will head out Monday. O'Yea! Can't wait.

I give a vote for shell beach also.   Everything to catch in one spot and not the most difficult of launches.  Good luck!  I've been meaning to get back down there.  Can't wait to see the report.

Oh yea, if you end up near montano de oro, and you are a fan of thai food, look up a place called "Noi's" in Los Osos.  Mmmmmm.... I can taste it now

Thank you all for the great advice! Looks like we are heading out Monday and plan to fish Tuesday and Wednesday mornings. I can hardly wait to be in salt again and explore something new for us.  Mitch is excited to see SLO, where he may transfer to in a year. He was accepted last year and yet choose to go local for the first two years. I love his choice as we get more time with him and it saved us $. He has some buddies already there so he will be hopefully connected.

Oh yea, if you end up near montano de oro, and you are a fan of thai food, look up a place called "Noi's" in Los Osos.  Mmmmmm.... I can taste it now

Also, if you have any questions about the school/dorms/whatever, I'd be glad to share my thoughts. Cheers, -Alex P.S.... Make sure you stop in to Firestone for a tri tip sando and a Firestone DBA.... Mmmmmmmmmm....

Thanks guys for food ideas..we alway try to seek out the local food instead of the same ole.

Now where to go? Thank you again for the spots to go. Almost too many choices. If anyone wants to play guide (well at least get us out with you...we know how to) for either day we would be much in debt (well al least a case of your favorite beer )

We will hopefully hook up with a campground or motel nearby today and off we go!

DrDave, I'm heading out on Wed. a.m. with a few friends.  Most likely Leffingwell or Spooners, I can let you know once we finalize.  Wind will probably be up by noon or so, so will try for an early launch.  I'll keep in touch.  Eric

DrDave, I'm heading out on Wed. a.m. with a few friends.  Most likely Leffingwell or Spooners, I can let you know once we finalize.  Wind will probably be up by noon or so, so will try for an early launch.  I'll keep in touch.  Eric

Thanks Eric, We would love to tag along! I could not find leffingwell on google map. I did find a possible nice launch past Cambria that google identified as leffingwell right before moonstone beach road. Looks like by the google close up part of the road got washed away years ago and now it looks like a calm beach launch.?

I have never been through this area of California before...by the looks of the pics I have viewed you are one lucky guy. 

Yep, Leffingwell is at the north end of Moonstone Dr., at the bridge.  Paved launch ramp down to the beach where you can unload basically at the water line.  Beach launch but into a mellow cove.